Throughout the next few months, lower elevations will be sunny and warm while higher elevations will be cold and cloudy. Prepare for both before you visit the parks!
NPS Photo / Emily Fedorko
Be Prepared For Variable Conditions
This time of year, change is ushered into the Giant Forest and Sierra Nevada. Days can be very cool, particularly at the elevation of the sequoia groves. Before you visit, check out these tips to enhance your trip!
Weather
Autumn is a wonderful time to visit giant sequoias, but it can be very cool and below freezing especially in the morning or evening. Weather can include snow and cold rain. Plan ahead by packing multiple layers of clothing so that you can adjust to warmer or colder conditions. Check the weather forecast before you head out!
Driving Mountain Roads
Snow is a possibility in the sequoia groves and rain or snow can occur in the foothills. Be prepared to drive winding roads with poor visibility and reduced traction. Tire chains or cables are often required on park roads from fall through spring. Prepare for your visit by learning about tire chains and winter driving. During fall through spring, we recommend that you carry chains or cables in your car, regardless of conditions. Check out our current road conditions and learn about driving mountain roads before arriving.
Upcoming Seasonal Closures
As the parks transition to winter operations, there are already multiple seasonal closures of roads, areas, campgrounds, visitor centers. Please double check operating hours before arriving!
Rivers
It can be tempting to visit the rivers, but it is very dangerous. Drowning is the leading cause of death in the parks. Rain and melting snow from the mountains makes river waters swift, icy cold, and extremely hazardous. Learn more about river safety.
A smoke-filled vista as seen from the Giant Forest webcam on August 18, 2024.
Air Quality
The dial below represents the current Air Quality Index (AQI) for the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks' reporting area. Local conditions within the parks can vary to be worse or better than what is indicated. In summer months, ozone concentrations often exceed federal health standards. Ozone can have negative health effects. Learn more about air quality and how it can impact your trip.
Area Specific Conditions
Weather
Check weather forecasts. Temperatures in the sequoia groves and the mountains are variable in the fall. Expect any storms in the area to produce snow. The higher in elevation you go, the cooler temperatures become, especially in the mornings and evenings. Bring extra layers of clothing to be prepared for all weather conditions. As always, make sure to protect yourself with sunscreen, a hat, and plenty of water.
Overnight lodging and food service offered. See visitsequoia.com for more information.
Parking
Expect parking at the Giant Forest Museum and General Sherman Tree to fill early on weekends and holidays.
2024-2025 Winter Holiday Shuttle Dates
November 28 - December 1
December 24 - January 1
January 18 - 19
February 15 - 16
The free shuttle operates within the Giant Forest. Visit the shuttle webpage for more information about shuttle routes and stops.
Trails
Trails within the Giant Forest and Lodgepole areas are open.
Camping
Lodgepole Campground is now open. It is the most popular campground in the parks and site availability may be extremely limited, especially on weekends and holidays. Reservations must be made in advance through recreation.gov.
Dorst Creek Campground is closed for 2024.
Lodgepole Concessions
Lodgepole Market and Grill are closed for the season. When it is open you can find a large selection of supplies and services, including clothing, groceries, grab-and-go food, an ATM, and a payphone. Lodgepole Grill offers casual food including burgers, sandwiches, salads, and snacks. Showers and laundry facilities are also available here.
Market, Showers, Laundromat: CLOSED
Lodgepole Grill: CLOSED
Free Ranger Programs
Ranger-led programs are available. Visit the Giant Forest Museum or Lodgepole Visitor Center for more information. For the schedule of ranger talks and programs, see our events calendar. *Ranger programs are posted online about one week in advance.
Weather
Check weather forecasts. Temperatures in the sequoia groves and the mountains are variable in the fall. The higher in elevation you go, the cooler temperatures become, especially in the mornings and evenings. Bring extra layers of clothing to be prepared for all weather conditions. As always, make sure to protect yourself with sunscreen, a hat, and plenty of water.
Trails within the Grant Grove area are open. Check at the Kings Canyon Visitor Center for the most up-to-date trail conditions.
Trails in the Redwood Canyon area are closed following damage from the 2021 KNP Complex Fire and will not reopen until conditions are safe.
Camping
A portion of Azalea Campground is open through the winter. Twenty sites are available first-come, first-served. The campsites are not cleared of snow. During winter expect to be winter camping with tents pitched on snow.
During the spring, summer, and fall, most campgrounds fill well in advance of weekends and holidays. Reservation windows vary between campgrounds, see each individual campground page or recreation.gov for more information.
Free Ranger Programs
Ranger-led programs are available. Visit the Kings Canyon Visitor Center for more information. For the schedule of ranger talks and programs, see our events calendar. *Ranger programs are posted online about one week in advance.
Highway 180 into this area is closed for the season. The highway typically reopens in mid-April depending on snow conditions.
Information below is available for backcountry wilderness travelers in the Cedar Grove area.
Happy Fire
The Happy Fire is currently burning in the Sequoia National Forest, partially into Kings Canyon National Park.
An area east of the park boundary and north of the highway is currently closed due to the fire. This includes the Hotel Creek Trail from the overlook junction to the Lewis Creek Trail, the Lewis Creek Trail, the Frypan Trail, and the Kennedy Pass Trail. See the closure map on this page for details.
Weather
Check weather forecasts. This time of year, it is especially important to pack for all weather conditions. Be prepared for cold temparatures and winter weather as you hike into the high country of the Sierra Nevada. Pack layers. As always, make sure to protect yourself with sunscreen, a hat, and plenty of water.
Trails
Trails within the Cedar Grove area are open, except for the Happy Fire area closure, as detailed above.
Wilderness permits are available for self-issue at Kings Canyon Visitor Center in Grant Grove Village.
Weather
Fall weather brings milder days to the Foothills, with cool nights. Pack for all weather conditions when visiting the parks. Dress appropriately and always bring plenty of water.
Stay safe in the foothills. View the rivers from a distance. The water is very cold and swift. The soil near and along the rivers can be unstable. It can collapse unexpectedly under the weight of people, including children, and result in falls into the river. Learn more about river safety
Trails
Check our Foothills Trails page for ideas to help you plan your trip.
Buckeye Flat Campground is closed until further notice due to damage from repeated winter storms in early 2023.
South Fork Campground is currently inaccessible by vehicle and closed due to damage from flooding and landslides from past winter storms. Damage to the campground and the access road are being assessed. At this time, it is unknown when the campground will re-open.
Free Ranger Programs
Ranger-led walks and talks are available. Visit the Foothills Visitor Center for more information. For the schedule of ranger talks and programs, see our events calendar. *Ranger programs are posted online about one week in advance.
Fire Restrictions
Stage 1 fire restrictions have been placed on the Foothills area. See our fire restrictions page for details.
The Mineral King Road inside Sequoia National Park is closed to vehicles for the winter season.
Wilderness Permits
Mineral King wilderness permits are available as self-issue permits obtained in front of the Wilderness Office behind the Foothills Visitor Center on Generals Highway. To reach the Foothills Visitor Center and Wilderness Office, enter the park at the entrance station on Highway 189 and travel approximately one mile into the park.
Facilities
Visitors to this area should be self-reliant and expect rustic conditions.
Weather
Between 7,500 to 14,000 feet elevation, Mineral King is characterized by cold winter temperatures and deep winter snow. Check weather forecasts.
Winter Recreation
The Mineral King Road is open to day use crosscountry skiiing and snowshoeing. Overnight camping is not allowed along the road corridor.
Map of Current Trail, Road, and Area Closures at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
Click on a line or point for the name of the closed location.
Road and trail closures are shown in red.
Individual point closures are shown with black pins.
Area closures are shown in yellow.
Closures can change at any time and may differ from what is shown on this map.
